Even to diehard Virginia fans, the Cavalier linebacking corps may have been hard to recognize Saturday against Western Michigan.
Three of the four Cavalier linebackers started their first games over the weekend. Gone are outside linebackers Darryl Blackstock, who left the University for the Arizona Cardinals, and Dennis Haley, who only recently was cut by the New York Jets. Junior All-American Ahmad Brooks also sat out the game, leaving junior Kai Parham as the only starter from last year's linebackers to play in this season's opener.
The new starters at the outside linebacker positions were redshirt freshman Clint Sintim and sophomore Jermaine Dias. Senior Mark Miller filled in for an injured Brooks.
Realizing the Cavaliers' inexperience, Western Michigan wasted no time in testing the new linebackers. Bronco receiver Greg Jennings caught 16 balls for 156 yards, many of which came on short plays that turned into much longer gains due to poor positioning and tackling from the linebackers and secondary.
"There were some plays I wish we didn't give up," Parham said. "WMU did a lot of short stuff, outcuts, etc., but we'll take a look at it and try and emphasize tightening up on that stuff."
Parham acknowledged that the new starters will have a learning curve in adapting to all the intricacies of being a linebacker in the 3-4 defense.
"It really takes some time to establish the level of comfort and understanding of this defense," Parham said. "It;s tough, but they'll get it."
Senior Mark Miller faced the daunting task of replacing playmaker Ahmad Brooks in the middle of the Virginia defense. Miller's teammates, however, were quick to praise his performance.
"He played great," senior Bryan White said. "He played awesome on nickel and with the inside linebackers."
The return of Ahmad Brooks for his junior season will be a welcome addition to the Cavalier defense. Brooks, who passed up a possible first round selection in this year's NFL Draft, has been nursing a knee injury since offseason surgery.
Brooks, Virginia's leading tackler the past two seasons, is expected to stiffen the middle of the Cavalier defense. His absence has been felt by the team.
"We can't wait to have him back," White said. "We're so used to having him. Ahmad is a super athlete."
Without Brooks, the Broncos' short passing game was able to move down the field with some success. Finding the end zone, however, proved more difficult. Despite connecting on 33 of 50 passes for 271 yards, Western Michigan quarterback Robbie Haas was unable to lead the Broncos into the end zone, instead settling for four field goals. Western Michigan's only touchdown of the night came on a 55-yard interception return by free safety C.J. Wilson. Virginia coach Al Groh praised his defense's effort.
"That was a very good performance by the defense," Groh said. "Obviously, they played quite a few plays, [but] the only statistic we look at is points allowed. And [they] only allowed 12 points
Read More
No. 6 women’s squash falls to No. 5 Stanford in first match of the new year
By Peter Kratz | YesterdayThe Cavaliers fall to 0-1 in conference play after their first clash with the Cardinal.
Katie Grimes posts historic debut as women’s swimming and diving annihilates Virginia Tech
By Xander Tilock | 2 days agoGrimes broke out as a new superstar for Coach Todd DeSorbo's squad.
Women’s basketball displays stingy defense, but falls short versus No. 14 Duke
By Xander Tilock | 3 days agoThe Cavaliers nearly conquered a ranked rival but could not generate consistent offense.
